IndiGo, India's largest and most rapidly growing airline, today declared another major wide-body aircraft fleet expansion by confirming a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The new order essentially doubles the airline's existing A350 order book to 60 aircraft, heralding a strategic pivot toward long-haul international operations and solidifying the airline's position as an emerging player.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New Delhi, rendering it momentous for a low-cost carrier that has traditionally dominated the narrow-body operations within India and to short-haul international destinations.
According to Pieter Elbers, IndiGo CEO, deliveries of these newly confirmed A350s will follow after the first batch well into the next decade. 30 A350s were ordered in April 2024, with 70 more expected in 2027. The new order converts 30 purchase rights into firm commitments, demonstrating confidence in IndiGo's long-haul segment.
The Airbus A350-900 is a modern wide-body aircraft developed for operations over long distances, offering aesthetic fuel economy and passenger comfort. The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered A350-900 generates excellent operational economics with an approximately 15,000-kilometer flight range, allowing non-stop operations on most global routes from India.
Typically seating 300 to 350 passengers, the A350 would make IndiGo a direct competitor on lucrative intercontinental routes, linking Indian metros with key hubs across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and maybe North America.
This is in reaction to an increase in international air travel from India, wherein the foreign carriers are currently enjoying the lion's share of the market. IndiGo seems to take certain steps in order to soak up as much as it can of this traffic, providing Indian travelers with the convenience and price tag of a domestic brand operating long-haul.
Enhancing global connectivity, IndiGo also announced strategic partnerships with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. These partnerships will provide seamless intercontinental connectivity and an integrated customer proposition, linking IndiGo's vast domestic network with the strong transatlantic and European networks of its new partners.
While there is no official statement on the specific amount of the order, the list prices of an A350-900 are approximately $310 million, though large orders usually attract heavy discounts.
This huge investment signifies IndiGo's aggressive objective of becoming a global airline by 2030 and going beyond the traditional low-cost, single-aisle concept.
With their long-haul operations in mind, IndiGo has started preparing the phase integration of six wide-bodies under temporary leases, with all deliveries slated to be completed by 2026. This tactical measure will afford crucial operational experience to the airline ahead of the joining of A350s into its fleet.
Soon, IndiGo will boast an incredible combination of narrow- and wide-body aircraft to support its unparalleled network expansion and densification with over 900 aircraft currently on order, including a large number of A320 Family narrow-body jets.
The larger A350 order will transform the Indian aviation scene by injecting more competition into the market and offering Indian travelers direct, convenient, and cheap options to travel abroad. This marks a landmark in the evolved status of IndiGo from an almost regional operator into a strong global airline.